In Sermon Illustrations: "Special Needs Children"

Robinson Crusoe

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Oct 22, 2008

Robinson Crusoe Could you, could I do as well as Robinson Crusoe? When Robinson Crusoe was wrecked on his lonely island, he drew up in two columns what he called the evil and the good. He was cast on a desolate island, but he was still alive--not drowned, as his ship's company was. He was ...read more

Tags: Gratitude

Denomination: Pentecostal

Are You Drawing Or Building?

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 11, 2008

Are You Drawing or Building? Dr. J.B. Gambrel tells an amusing story from General Stonewall Jackson's famous valley campaign. Jackson's army found itself on one side of a river when it needed to be on the other side. After telling his engineers to plan and build a bridge so the army could cross, ...read more

Tags: Basics Of Christianity

Never Said Thanks  PRO

Contributed by Et Tapper on Feb 9, 2009

NEVER SAID THANKS Edward Spencer was a ministerial student in Evanston, Illinois, and also a member of a life-saving squad during his school years. In 1860, a ship went aground on the shore of Lake Michigan near Evanston, and Spencer waded again and again into the frigid waters to rescue seventeen ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-18

Tags: Gratitude

Denomination: Pentecostal

Who Told You It's The Word Of God?

Contributed by Sharon Stonestreet on Mar 2, 2009

WHO TOLD YOU IT'S THE WORD OF GOD? A young woman who was soundly converted immediately began to read her Bible. A friend who disbelieved the Scriptures and took delight in ridiculing them asked her, "Why do you spend so much time reading a book like that?" "Because it’s the Word of God," replied ...read more

Tags: Bible Truth

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where Else Could I Go?

Contributed by Bill Butsko on May 9, 2009

WHERE ELSE COULD I GO? "My little boy gave me a great awakening," said an intelligent and spiritually-minded mother. "Jimmy is getting to an age when he often wants to try his own way instead of mine. Then he generally meets with a difficulty that hurts his feelings, and he comes at once to me ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships

Denomination: Christian Church

God Often Answers Prayer In A Different Way Than ...

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Sep 2, 2009

God often answers prayer in a different way than we had in mind. I heard one time about a dad who heard his young son praying by his bed one night. The dad stopped at the door and heard the boy praying intensely, over and over again, “Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo.” The next day, the dad asked his son ...read more

Tags: Prayer, Prayer Answered

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Object Lesson: Planted In God's Love

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Oct 14, 2009

OBJECT LESSON: PLANTED IN GOD'S LOVE Items needed: Table Seeds (enough for all listeners) Large pot with potting soil Set up the table with the seeds and pot arranged on it where listeners can get to them during the invitation, perhaps in the front of your worship area. Then introduce the ...read more

Tags: God's Love

Denomination: Church Of God

John Macarthur On Forgiveness

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 22, 2009

JOHN MACARTHUR ON FORGIVENESS John MacArthur gives us reasons why we need to forgive in his book and series, The Art of Giving and Receiving Forgiveness. a. Un-forgiveness imprisons people in the past. i. I always say don’t let the past dictate the future. b. Un-forgiveness provokes ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Confession Without Change

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Oct 28, 2009

CONFESSION WITHOUT CHANGE Four preachers met for a friendly gathering. During the conversation one preacher said, "Our people come to us and pour out their hearts, confess certain sins and needs. Let's do the same. Confession is good for the soul." In due time all agreed. One confessed he liked ...read more

Tags: Confession Of Sin

Denomination: Salvation Army

In A Climate Of Mutual Trust, The Market Is The ...

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 19, 2009

In a climate of mutual trust, the market is the economic institution that permits encounter between persons, inasmuch as they are economic subjects who make use of contracts to regulate their relations as they exchange goods and services of equivalent value between them, in order to satisfy their ...read more

Tags: Trust

Denomination: Catholic

I Have Tried Fasting A Few Times In My Life And ...

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Dec 23, 2009

I have tried fasting a few times in my life and always found it helpful. Once, after a fast for a week or so, I was so hungry for food that I went out and bought a pizza. I was sick that night. Not a good idea to introduce pizza to a starving stomach too quickly. Are you hungry enough? I was ...read more

Tags: Righteousness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My Old Friend Tom Keller Was On Sentry Duty ...

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Jan 16, 2010

My old friend Tom Keller was on sentry duty during his time in the military and he fell asleep, standing on his feet. Something awakened him and as he opened his eyes, he saw spit-shined boots directly opposite his own. He wanted to curse, but instead, he said, “In Jesus’ name, Amen!” and looked up ...read more

Tags: Prayer Persistence

Denomination: *other

John Wesley Sells Painting To Meet Someone's ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 6, 2010

John Wesley Sells Painting to Meet Someone’s Need The story is told of the famed evangelist and preacher, John Wesley, who, one winter day, met a poor girl in one of the schools under his care. She seemed almost frozen. He asked her if she had no clothing but the thin garments she was wearing. She ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:14-21

Tags: Compassion

Fear: A Weapon Of Choice

Contributed by Gregg Barbour on Feb 8, 2010

Fear: A Weapon of Choice Black Bart was a professional thief whose very name struck fear as he terrorized the Wells Fargo stage line. From San Francisco to New York, his name became synonymous with the danger of the frontier. Between 1875 and 1883 he robbed 29 different stagecoach crews. ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 4:5

Tags: Intimidation, Fear And Worry

Denomination: *other

Let’s Suppose You Left Your Wallet On Your ...

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Mar 28, 2010

Let’s suppose you left your wallet on your seat and I found it tomorrow. Because I found it I instantly believe I have a right to entitlement and spend the money that you have in your wallet (or use your credit cards!) When you find out I did that you will rightfully be angry and accuse me of ...read more

Tags: Stewardship

Denomination: Salvation Army

Once A Lady I Knew Told Me About A Bad ...

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on May 13, 2010

Once a lady I knew told me about a bad experience she had in church. She had grown up in a very legalistic church and had been away from church for a long time. Under the conviction of the Holy Spirit she knew she needed to get back in church, and so she went back to the church she had grown up in. ...read more

Tags: Law

Denomination: Methodist

Integrity On A Bus

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jul 19, 2010

INTEGRITY ON A BUS One Sunday a pastor preached a sermon on honesty. Monday morning he took the bus took get to his office. He paid the fare, and the bus driver gave him back too much change. During the rest of the journey, the pastor was rationalizing how God had provided him with some extra ...read more

Tags: Commandments God's Name

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Strange Medicinal Claims

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 2, 2010

STRANGE MEDICINAL CLAIMS In the world of medicine and nutritional supplements, do we really know what we are doing? People seem so sure about their claims, but we need to remind ourselves: we don't know what we don't know. This AFP article broke this last week: (7-10) "Ordinary calcium ...read more

Tags: Gifts Healing

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Gratitude Attitude

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 22, 2010

GRATITUDE ATTITUDE A few years ago Dr. Nick Stinnett of the University of Nebraska conducted a group of studies called the "Family Strengths Research Project." Stinnett and his researchers identified six qualities that make for strong families. The first quality and one of the most important to be ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Battle Is Really Over

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 24, 2010

THE BATTLE IS REALLY OVER Theologians tell a story to illustrate how Christ’s triumph presently benefits our lives: Imagine a city under siege. The enemy that surrounds they city will not let anyone or anything leave. Supplies are running low, and the citizens are fearful. But in the dark of the ...read more

Tags: Fear And Worry

Denomination: Brethren